A Bloody Mary is a popular cocktail containing vodka, tomato juice, and usually other spices or flavorings such as Worcestershire sauce,Tabasco sauce, beef consomme or bouillon, horseradish, celery, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, lemon juice, and celery salt.
The origin of the Bloody Mary is disputed. Fernand Petiot is said to have invented the drink in 1920 while working at Harry’s Bar in Paris, France, a frequent hangout for Ernest Hemingway and other American expatriates. Another story is that it was originally created by George Jessel around 1939. In 1939, Lucius Beebe printed in his gossip column “This New York” one of the earliest U.S. references to this drink, along with the original recipe: “George Jessel’s newest pick-me-up which is receiving attention from the town’s paragraphers is called a Bloody Mary: half tomato juice, half vodka.
The epithet ”Bloody Mary” is associated with a number of historical figures—particularly Queen Mary I of England—and fictional women, especially from folklore. It is believed that inspiration for the cocktail was the Hollywood star Mary Pickford;[citation needed] previously, a similarly red cocktail consisting of rum, grenadine, and Maraschino had been named after her. Other sources trace the name to a waitress named Mary who worked at a Chicago bar called the Bucket of Blood.
In 1934, the cocktail was called “Red Snapper” at the St. Regis Hotel, where Petriot was hired at the time. It was here that tabasco sauce was added to the drink, and the name “Bloody Mary” eventually won popularity. In the 1960s it became popular to serve the cocktail with celery due to a guest at The Pump Room at the Ambassador East Hotel in Chicago.
The name likely refers to the blood-like color of the cocktail.
Bloody Marys, as well as the non-alcoholic Virgin Mary, are frequently served in the morning (as are mimosas and Screwdrivers).[citation needed]
While there is not much complexity in mixing vodka and tomato juice, more elaborate versions of the drink have become trademarks of the bartenders who make them. A common garnish is a celery stalk when served in a tall glass, often over ice. A beer chaser may also be served with the Bloody Mary, although this varies from region to region.
